Abstract

The aim of this study was to demonstrate and evaluate the growth and
production performance of Begait goat breed and their first generation (F1)
kids in comparison Abergelle goat breed managed under traditional management
practice. A total of 60 adult Begait goat breed with sex ratio 2:1 (female
to male) were randomly distributed for 20 purposively selected
beneficiaries. Data on kids' growth performance, survival rate and dams milk
yield were collected for one year.

Mean birth weight and weight of at
different ages of the sampled Begait kids were (2.85±0.25, 10.47±1.68,
13.78±1.85, 19.64±1.86 and 22.94±1.45) kg for birth weight, weaning weight,
six month weight, nine month weight and yearling weight, respectively and
the corresponding value for the Abergelle kids were (2.21±0.24, 6.87±1.39,
9.51±1.69, 11.94±1.77 and14.21±1.32) kg, respectively. Breed had highly
significant (p<0.0001) effect on birth weight and weight of at different
ages. Average daily weight gain of kids was affected by breed. Kids born
from Begait dam goat had larger (P<0.000) average daily weight gain (84.7 ±
6.0g) than kids born from Abergelle dam goat breed (51±1.0g). The average
milk yield per day of the Begait dam was 0.69 liter, while average milk
production of Abergelle dams was 0.32litter. As a result of this the
participant farmers had a positive attitude towards the Begait goat breed in
almost all the phenotypic characteristics of the Begait goat breed except
for the attributes of ear length. So that scaling up and scaling out of this
technology has to be strengthened to enhance farmers benefit from Begait
goat breed.

Introduction

Small ruminant production is important due to the fact that it can easily be
managed, requires small initial investments and its short generation
interval (Otte, M.J. and P. Chilonda 2002). Indigenous goat breeds
constitute over 95% of the small ruminant population in Africa and 99.77% in
Ethiopia (CSA 2012). The recent data from CSA (2012) indicated that
country’s goat population growth rate is 1.1% with off-take rate of 35%. In
Ethiopia goat production accounts for 16.8% of total meat supply (Ameha
2008) and 16.7% of milk consumed in the country (Tsedeke 2007). In general
goat and sheep are raised by smallholder farmers as a major source of meat
and immediate cash income. Owing to their ability to thrive and reproduce
fast even in harsh environments they used as source of risk mitigation
during crop failures, property security, monetary saving and investment in
addition to many of other socio-economic and cultural function (Markos
2006).

Ethiopia has great potentials to export large number of small ruminant and
their byproducts especially to the Middle East and other African markets
(Solomon A. and Gemeda D. 2002). But growth is the most important traits for
small ruminant’s production affecting the contribution of the sector to farm
household through live animal sale and meat production. Given their number
and contribution, efforts made so far to improve the productivity of
indigenous goats were very little as compared to the concerns given to other
livestock species such as cattle. A number of researches were conducted in
research centers and universities in the past to evaluate and improve the
productivity of the indigenous goats. However, the information generated
from such research works are not systematically compiled and made available
to users. Therefore the purpose of this study were compile all necessary
information through demonstration and evaluation of growth and production
performance of Begait goat breed in comparison of the existing Abergelle
goat breed under farmer’s management system.

Materials and Methods

Study area

The study was conducted in Tanqua Abergelle district which is located in
central zone of Tigray region (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Map of the study area.

The study district is far away 110km South East Mekelle (capital city of the
region). Geographically the district is located between 10o
27 “N latitude and 39o 01‟E longitude with an altitude ranging
from 1200 - 1500 a.s.l.

Sampling procedure

Tanqua-Abergelle district has 20 kebeles of which one kebele was selected
using purposive sampling technique in consultation with operational research
project (OR), district office of agriculture and rural development experts.
From the selected kebele (Sheka-Tekli) a total of 20 participants of which
90% female and 10% male headed household safety net beneficiaries were
selected purposively. Accordingly the selected beneficiaries were trained
overall small ruminant production packages. The Begait goat breeds were
reared under extensive management system.

Data Collection Method

A one year monitoring data (2014-2015) on Begait and Abergelle goat breed
growth performance like, Birth weight (BW), Weaning weight (WW), Six months
weight (SMW), Nine month weight (NMW), Yearling weight (YW) and Average
daily weight gains (ADWG) were recorded at empty gut before feeding and
watering. All weight measurements except BW were taken at one month’s
interval using the Salter scale with capacity of 50kg and 50g precision, but
birth weight was taken immediately after 24 hour birth. Average daily
weaning weight gain (WWG), was calculated using the following equations.

Data analysis

The collected data were subjected to descriptive statistics using
Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 20.0 for windows, release 20.0
2011). Birth weight, weaning weight, six month weight, nine month weight and
yearling weight were used as response variables, whereas breed was used as
factor. In addition to descriptive statistics the study also employed
narrative analysis to analyze farmers’ perception towards the improved
Begait goat breed. Indices were calculated for ranked data to provide
ranking of major goat diseases and major forage plant species for goat.
Indices were calculated as Index = Sum of (3 X number of household ranked
first + 2 X number of household ranked second + 1 X number of household
ranked third) given for an individual reason, criteria or preference divided
by the sum of (3 X number of household ranked first + 2 X number of
household ranked second + 1 X number of household ranked third) for overall
reasons, criteria or preferences according Musa et al (2006).

Results and discussion

Birth weight and weight at different ages of Begait and Abergelle kids are
presented in (Table 1). According to this result the
average body weight from birth to yearling Begait kids were significantly
(p<0.0001) larger than Abergelle kids. This indicated that breed of goats
has its own effect on growth performance of the newly born kids. The average
weight of Begait kids were (2.85± 0.04, 10.5± 0.27, 13.8± 0.24, 19.6± 0.41
and 22.9± 0.36)kg for birth weight, weaning weight, six month weight, nine
month weight and yearling weight, respectively and the corresponding value
for the Abergelle kids were (2.21± 0.05, 6.87± 0.14, 9.51± 0.20, 11.9± 0.20
and 14.2± 0.20) kg, respectively. The present result in the study district
mean body weight value for Abergelle goat kids were similar with the values
reported for Abergelle Sokota1.91±0.04, 6.84±0.19, 9.13±0.31 and 14.15±1.20
(Belay and Mengistie 2013), but lower than the mean body weight value of the
Begait Kids. Average daily weight gain of kids was affected by breed. Kids
born from Begait dam goat had larger (P<0.0001) average daily weight gain
(85.0± 2.57g) than kids born from Abergelle dam goat breed (51.8±1.00g).
This result is incomparable with the result of reported in Western Highland
goats of Ethiopia average daily weight gain for the newly kids born was
(85.0 ± 3.9g) Chanie D.et al (2014).

Table 1.
Comparison of live weight change of Begait and Abergelle
kids

Figure 2. The left one is Abergelle female one years old, whereas the
right kids are Begait kids three months old

Major goat disease

The major goat diseases in order of their index ranking are present in (Table
2). Diseases have numerous negative impacts on production and
productivity of herds that is, death of animals, and loss of weight, slow
growth rate, poor fertility performance, decrease in physical power and the
likes (CSA 2016). Most of the respondents indicated that most common goat
diseases from the description of symptoms of diseases (based on index
values) and its most frequently occurring Pasteurellosis, Pest des Petit
Ruminants, Anthrax, Foot and Mouth diseases and mange mites were reported as
major problem for goat productivity and survivability respectively in
ranking order. Similar to this result (Helen et al 2015; Fsahatsion et al
2013; Tajebe et al 2011) also reported that pasturolosis, anthrax and sheep
and goat pox were the major diseases hindering productivity and
survivability of the goat population in Jijiga, Shinile and east Hararghe
zones, Gamogofa zone and Abergelle districts. The occurrences of mange
mites, tick and lies in Tanqua-Abergelle, district were higher prevalence.
This might be due to the mixed of flock more than one household during
browsing and watering and this needs immediate intervention.

Major Forage Plant Species

Major forage plant species in Tanqua Abergelle district is presented in (Table 3). The major forage plant species found in the study districts
are different in terms of both abundance and palatability. Data obtained for
major forage plant species index values calculation were not based on the
special important nature of the plant (i.e. medicinal value or milk quality and
quantity effects etc.) but based on abundance and duration. For instance ‘Giba,
Gonek, Seraw and Tsalwa’ were reported by beneficiaries abundantly throughout
the year. Similar report was reported by many authors in different parts of the
country (Kedija 2006; Teshome 2006; Endeshaw 2007; Getahun 2008; Tesfaye 2008).
Indigenous browses are the major sources of feeds in the study area especially
for goats while concentrates were not common. Goats of the study areas are total
dependent on natural pasture and tree species for browsing during the days.

Average daily milk yield and fertility rate of Begait dams

The milk production potential of Ethiopian indigenous goats has not been
adequately studied in the past and most of the studies are done on-station.
The result of this study is present in (Table 4). The
average daily milk yield of Begait and Abergelle goat breed were vary across
early, mid and late the lactation stages (0.84,0.68 and0.55) litter,
respectively for the Begait dams and the corresponding value for Abergelle
goats were (0.47, 0.35 and 0.15) litter, respectively. This indicated that
the milk production of Begait goat breed is higher than that of Abergelle
breed. In agreement of this finding Berhane and Eirk (2006); Degen (2007)
reported that daily milk yield for Begait and Long-eared Somali were (0.63
and 0.33) litter respectively, but in contrast with this finding of
(Mestawet et al 2012) reported daily milk yield of Somali goat breed was
0.93litter.

Table 4.
Daily average milk yield

Milking stages (in litter)

Begait Dams

Abergelle Dams

Early stage

0.841

0.472

Medium stage

0.683

0.353

Late stage

0.552

0.152

Daily average milk yield

0.691

0.324

Survival rate of Begait and Abergelle kids in Tanqua-Abergelle district.

Survival rate of Begait and Abergelle kids are presented in (Table 5).
Kids born from Abergelle goat breed had higher percentage of survival rate from
kids born from Begait goat breed. This might be due to slightly having niche
difference. Twin born kids had similar survival rate with single born kids
within the Begait kids, which might be due to their sufficient milk production
of their dams.

Table 5.
Survival of Begait and Abergelle goats in
Tanqua-Abergelle district

Descriptor

Breed

Begait

Abergelle

N

Survival to one year age (%)

N

Survival to one year age (%)

Type of birth

Single

30

83.3

48

95.8

Twin

10

80

-

-

Sex

Male

18

66.7

21

90.5

Female

30

83.3

27

85.2

Farmers’ perception

The beneficiary farmers of Sheka-Tekli in collaboration Abergelle
agricultural research center Begait goat kids were evaluated as compare to
their own local Abergelle goat kids in overall performance. According the
idea of the participant farmers perceive that Begait goat breed have
additional attributes over the local breed (Abergelle goat bred)in their
non- selective feed browsing, high milk yielder and fast grower and their
litter size. The only opposition raised by the participant farmers over
Begait goat breed was their low market demand due to their ear largeness and
slow adaptation to the environment. As part of the qualitative analysis,
field days were prepared and all the participants were soundly appreciated
the effort made to enhance the production and productivity of goat in the
study area.

Conclusions

Feed shortage in terms of both quantity and quality are among the main
constraints of goat production across the beneficiaries farmers.

Average body weight from birth to yearling Begait kids were significantly (p<0.0001)
larger than Abergelle kids.

Milk production of Begait goat breed is higher than that of Abergelle
breed.

Kids born from Abergelle goat breed had higher percentage of survival rate
from kids born from Begait goat breed. This might be due to slightly having
niche difference.

The goat keepers had a positive attitude towards the
Begait goat breeds in overall parameters except for the attributes of ear
length.

Therefore scaling up and scaling out of the Begait goat breed
enhances the speed of transmit-ion from nonfood secure households to food
secure households.

Acknowledgement

Operational research project (OR) is dully acknowledged for the budget and
necessary materials support. I also thank the farmers they participate in
operational research project for their cooperation during data collection

Getahun L 2008 Productive and Economic performance of Small Ruminant
production in production system of the Highlands of Ethiopia.
Ph.D.dissertation. University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart-Hoheinheim, Germany.